A procedure used to
temporarily stitch the cervix closed in pregnant women with a history of
premature delivery caused by an incompetent cervix. Cerclage
sutures are usually placed at 10 to 15 weeks' gestation

The most commonly utilized cerclage is the McDonald cerclage shown at right.
Two other types of cerclage are the Shirodkar cerclage which is placed
underneath the skin of the cervix, and the abdominal cerclage which is
placed around the lower part of the uterus through an abdominal incision.